Owner: GM-Volt: Chevy Volt Concept Site URL:http://www.gm-volt.com Join Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:43:56 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: Enthusiasts forum and informational site for the General Motors(GM) Chevrolet Volt Concept Electric Car Site statistics:Click here
New Government Study Shows PHEV Use Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Oil Use 2007-07-20 09:46:20
Yesterday the Electric Power Research Institute and the National Resources Defense Council released a comprehensive assessment which found that widespread use of plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV) could be expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve ambient air quality.
The 3 key findings:
By 2050, 450 million tons less greenhouse gas would be produced.
The power grid can handle it: assuming a 60% market share of these vehicles, they will only use 7 - 8% of the grid’s power
By 2050, 3-4 million barrels per day less oil will be consumed
Here is the official press release.
Comprehensive Greenhouse Gas report is here.
The event in Washington, was attended by Tony Pozawatz, GM Volt Vehicle Line Chief. He confirmed GM’s commitment to building the Volt, but was still vague on release date and cost.
It is this author’s opinion that this study is extremely important, because of concerns that using cars like the Volt would simply shift CO2 generation from the c Read more:Government
, Study
A Volt on the Streets of D.C. 2007-07-19 20:20:56 As we reported previously, the Volt concept made it to Capitol Hill Today. Courtesy of GM, below is a little clip of the car backing up on the street. You can read two GM employees accounts of it here (GM sanctioned) and here (unlikely GM sanctioned).
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The Volt Goes to Washington D.C. 2007-07-19 10:01:40
The Detroit news reported today that Tory Clarke, GM’s head of North American operations will be meeting with several lawmakers today on Capitol Hill. He will be pushing GM’s interest that new laws on CAFE standards not be passed. To help persuade them that GM is still very serious about improving fuel economy through other means, he will be bring the Volt with him to show off GMs’ commitment to the issue.
GM is concerned about potentially over 40 billion in increased costs to them to achieve the proposed 4% annual increases in mpgs.
GM believes that through vehicular electrification and fuel diversity within their fleet the same overall improvements in fuel economy can be obtained rather than forcing all vehicles in the fleet to adhere to the same minimum standards.
Read more:Washington
E-Flex Opel May be Unveiled in September 2007-07-17 20:03:22
Many folks have written about concerns on whether GM will spread E-flex technology to other countries. We have previously mentioned that a diesel E-Flex variant would likely appear in Europe, but not the U.S.
Several internet sites are now reporting that GM has announced it will unveil an E-Flex Opel Concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show this December. It is clear that GM Europe Vice President Hans Demant did announce they will present the HydrGen4 — a European version of the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell, an E85 Cadillac BLS, and a new diesel Opel/Vauxhall Corsa.
We have no new E-Flex pictures to show as yet, and consider the reports unconfirmed but very likely to be true.
The Reuters release is here.
Stay posted for more on this.
Read more:September
Chevy Volt Pays a Visit to A123 System Headquarters 2007-07-17 12:46:16
Justin Hyde of the Detroit Free Press wrote an article reporting that A123 employees got to drive an early Chevy
Volt prototype. The web rumor mill of course has expanded this into a highway driveable car.
Information from reliable sources indicate that yes indeed A123 employees did get to view the Volt firsthand, but they did not drive it, it was only driven by a GM handler.
As well, the car was the same concept car that gets shown at the Auto Shows, it is not a newer prototype, and does not have a Li-ion battery pack in it.
Lets face it, at the time of my interview with Bart Riley, cofounder and CTO of A123 one month ago, a working battery pack prototype did not even exist.
Sorry to disappoint the hopeful, but, I’m betting we do see a next generation prototype by year end. Also, purely speculative, but the Detroit Auto show in Jan. 2008 seems like it might be a nice place to show one.
Read more:System
New York Times Article on the Volt 2007-07-16 19:40:12
An article was published in the New YorkTimes
yesterday, giving a basic discussion about the promise, potenital, and delays of Lithium-ion batteries for automotive use.
Lithium titanate was mentioned, but not any specific battery companies by name. Interestingly they commented that the Tesla roadster carries 6,831 individual cells, and will begin deliveries this fall.
The author also noted that next generation Toyota Prius using Lithium ion batteries would have to be delayed for 6 months due to the lack of readiness of the technology, and also mentioned the Volt reporting that “industry experts” say that car’s batteries wont be ready until 2010.
Although promoting the knowledge to the mainstream, the article really did not tell us anything new.
Read more:Article
, New York Times
Diesel Volt? 2007-07-14 14:29:08 (Either JavaScript is not active or you are using an old version of Adobe Flash Player. Please install the newest Flash Player.)
From the point of introduction of the Volt in January one of it’s strong selling points, after the beauty of the electric engine, is the fact that the ICE could potentially run on gas, E85, or diesel. Not to mention the fact that a hydrogen cell could substitute for teh ICE altogether. This is the flex(ibility) of the E-Flex system.
Many of the enthusiasts here and around the internet are strong proponents of diesel and biodiesel. Mainly, this type of combustion engine is more efficient, allowing for overall better mpg ratings. Indeed, in Europe, there are deisel cars which can hit 70 mpg. So many people are enthusiastsc that the Volt might have a diesel engine.
We are indeed at a point in history of great change in environmental awareness, and recognition of the limited supply of oil. General Motors, under Rick Wagoner’s leadership
Chevy is Rebranding its Image 2007-07-07 20:46:10
As most of us have noticed, GM is undergoing a significant transformation. They are aware of the end of cheap oil and the problems of carbon dioxide emissions. Hence the E-Flex system and it’s first daughter, our beloved Volt. As I’ve mentioned, GM has already spent a lot of money bringing the Volt to life. Part of that has certainly been in the PR department. GM needs to compete with Toyota who is beginning to overtake them. They and we must not let that happen!
An article yesterday in MediaPost’s MarketingsDaily discusses the new Chevy
advertising campaign. They mention that GM has sponsored MSN’s online coverage of LiveEarth today. As well, GM has developed a 16 page brochure about their new green direction which will appear in progressive publications targeting the 18-34 segment throughout the year. Mine came along with my beloved copy of WIRED magazine. A photo of the Volt is on the back and front cover, and I put a copy of it is at the top of th Read more:Image
Production Chevy Volt will not Have a Polycarbonate Roof 2008-03-10 06:00:08 One aspect of the Chevy
Volt concept that draws attention is its polycarbonate roof. Some are thrilled by the unique aesthetics while some more pragmatic folks are concerned abouts its greenhouse effect and the need for electrically powered A/C that might reduce the car’s EV range.
In recent interviews about the actual production Volt, it [...] Read more:Production
Lutz: Why Do You Need Fuel Cells? 2008-03-07 23:57:20 GMs vice-chairman is Bob Lutz, he is the father of the Chevy Volt and shepherding its development along personally. When he says something about the car, it has validity, and often he will be the first to leak out news, sometimes I suspect, against the wishes of GMs PR people. One thing is certain [...]
A123 Systems Currently Makes Enough Batteries for 100,000 Cars 2008-03-07 05:19:25 A123 Systems
is a U.S. based battery company that has created a patented lithium-ion battery chemistry using a nanophosphate cathode material. These cells are felt to be among the most energy and power dense as well as safest in the business.
They with pack-integrating partner Continental Automotive, are one of the two teams developing [...] Read more:Currently
, Enough
Volt Nation Meet-Up: GM Opens More Invitations 2008-03-06 18:27:26 Volt Nation is fast approaching on March 19th 4:30 PM at the Jacob Javits Center during press days of the New York City Auto Show.
This historic and groundbreaking event will allow us all to get together, inspect the Chevy Volt show car, and have a townhall Q and A as well as one on one [...] Read more:Invitations
BUSH: U.S. Must Get Off Oil, and Mentions the Chevy Volt (sort of) 2008-03-06 11:04:27 Yesterday President Bush attended the Washington Renewable Energy Conference and made a speech.
Some key comments:
“We’ve got to get off oil”
“dependency on oil presents a real challenge to our economy.”
“The dependency upon oil also puts us at the mercy of terrorist”
“our dependence on fossil fuels like oil presents a [...] Read more:Chevy
Yet More Talk about Volt in 2009 2008-03-06 10:23:31 We had recently heard some comments about Volt production in 2009 by both an executive at GM and the CEO of Continental Automotive.
GM sources and Continental sources have told me these statements are incorrect. In particular the Continental CEO was likely referring to the Mercedes lithium-ion hybrid packs we have heard about.
This has also [...]
More Chevy Volt in 2009 Talk 2008-03-05 08:19:40 Recently we heard comments from Continental’s CEO about production level battery packs and Volts in 2009. GM spokesperson Rob Peterson told me that 2010 was still the plan.
Today we are hearing some more talk aboout 2009. In an article in CNN, GM exec Robert Babik told the reporter “GM is rolling out its all-electric Chevy
[...]
Ric Fulop on How A123 Cells are Made, Nanophosphate Cathode Patent Awarded 2008-03-05 05:00:03 Yesterday A123 Systems, one of the two companies awarded Chevy Volt contracts announced that they were awarded a key patent for their proprietary nanophosphate lithium-ion battery cathode. their system is widely acclaimed for its thermal stability as well as energy and power density, and getting this patent is critical for the companies future success. Per [...] Read more:Patent
Interview: Darryn Nowicki Electric Vehicle Director, Continental Automotive, Part I 2008-03-12 00:09:02 Continental Automotive
is the Chevy Volt battery pack integrator working with A123 Systems. I had the chance to interview Darren Nowicki who heads Continental’s North American Hybrid Electric
al Vehicle
Unit, and has integral knowledge of the Chevy Volt battery packs development.
Are you involved with the Continental team that has designed the initial prototype and future [...] Read more:Continental
, Director
Bob Lutz’ Boss Cool on Global Warming Comment 2008-03-11 12:53:01 Not to beat a dead horse, but this item continues to persist in the media.
As many of you know, Bob Lutz recently was quoted as saying global warming was a crock of sh*t. This resulted in an impressive run of internet and print media discussions, in the end Lutz made it clear that his [...] Read more:Comment
, Global
, Global Warming
Weighing the Benefits of Driving a PHEV 2008-03-11 06:00:38 Justin Hyde of the Detroit Free Press published a short article questioning the benefits of plug-in hybrid adoption.
He makes a point about a law of diminishing returns occurring with increasing mpg. In the example he gives, he reports that going from 25 to 45 mpg will save a 15,000 mile per year [...] Read more:Benefits
, Driving
Volt will be Either a Tremendous Victory or a Terrible Defeat 2008-03-15 06:00:20 As some readers previously noticed, the Economist published an excellent article about battery technology. It is concise, well-written, and accurate.
The article goes through the historical evolution of the battery right up to today’s cutting edge lithium-based technologies. Specifically discussed are the chemistries used by LG Chem and A123, the two companies that are [...] Read more:Tremendous
, Victory
North Carolina To Build Statewide Network of PHEV Charging Pods 2008-03-15 06:00:15 North Carolina
apparently plans to take the initiative to position itself as a state that welcomes plug-in electric cars.
Utility companies Duke Energy and Progress Energy are pledging $3 million dollars over 5 year to go in part towards building “a statewide network of charging pods at parking lots, gas stations and truck stops.”
This may [...] Read more:Build
, Charging
, North
, North Carolina
Volt Pricing to Take High Battery Warranty Cost into Account 2008-03-14 10:27:32 GM vice -chairman Bob Lutz told reporters some of the Volts recently increased pricing reflects the high cost of warrantying the lithium-ion batteries.
He said:
“We are going to bake in a very substantial warranty cost for the battery in our overall pricing calculation,”
and
“We need to be conservative, simply because it’s the first time we’ve done anything [...] Read more:Account
, Pricing
, Warranty
Lutz: Volt Prototype Road Tests Bumped to July 2008-03-14 00:01:28 Bob Lutz just told reporters today that the first Chevy Volt prototype road tests with working lithium-ion battery packs have been moved to July. This is one month later than they were initially planned for in June.
The very first public plans were for media road tests on Easter. This was then changed to [...] Read more:Prototype
Will Volt Roll-out be “Severely Limited”? 2008-03-13 15:11:48 As people have pointed out in the comments of the last unrelated post, Larry Burns who is GMs chief of R&D has been quoted as saying, with respect to the Volt:
“We’re not going to sell it in every city and we’re not going to sell it though every Chevrolet dealership,” and
“It just doesn’t make sense [...]
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